Residents of the Webster neighborhood gutted by a fire set by a man who gunned down four volunteer firefighters have been allowed to return to their homes.

Authorities began letting homeowners return to their properties on Tuesday, a day after 62-year-old William Spengler shot four firefighters, killing two, after setting the pre-dawn blaze that destroyed seven homes along Lake Ontario and damaged two others.

Authorities also reopened Lake Road.

Some of Spengler’s neighbors described how they were awoken early Monday morning by gunfire nearby, followed by the arrival of police SWAT team members who used an armored vehicle to evacuate more than 30 residents.

Police say Spengler’s body later was found near his home. Authorities say the ex-convict died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.